Revised Network+ Examination Objectives

Version 6-01

Introduction
The skills and knowledge measured by this examination are derived from an industry-wide job task analysis (JTA)
and validated through an industry wide survey of which over 2,500 responses were received in April 200l. The
results of this survey were used in weighing the domains and ensuring that the weighting is representative of the
relative importance of the content.

The Network+ certification covering the 2001 objectives, will certify that the successful candidates know the layers
of the OSI model, can describe the features and functions of network components and have skills needed to install,
configure, and troubleshoot basic networking hardware peripherals and protocols. A typical candidate should have
A+ certification or equivalent knowledge, but A+ certification is not required. In addition to A+ certification level
knowledge, candidates are encouraged to have at least 9 months of experience in network support or administration.

This examination includes blueprint weighting, test objectives and example content. Example concepts are included
to clarify the test objectives and should not be construed as a comprehensive listing of the content of the
examination.

The job task analysis will be available for purchase the end of June 2001. The Network+ beta will launch July 31,
2001 and be available through October 24, 2001. For more information on the Network+ beta visit the Network+
Beta FAQs. It is anticipated that the revised Network+ exam will launch January 2002.

The table below lists the domains measured by this examination and the extent to which they are represented in the
examination.

Network+ Certification Domain Areas % of Examination

1.0 Media & Topologies 20%
2.0 Protocols & Standards 25%
3.0 Network Implementation 23%
4.0 Network Support 32%
Total 100%

Note: All percentages are approximate and are subject to change.

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Domain 1.0 - Media and Topologies – 20%
1.1 Recognize the following logical or physical network topologies given a schematic diagram or description –
3%

o Star/hierarchical
o bus
o mesh
o ring
o wireless

1.2 Specify the main features of 802.2 (LLC), 802.3 (Ethernet), 802.5 (token ring), 802.11b (wireless) and FDDI
networking technologies, including – 3%

o Speed
o Access
o Method
o Topology
o Media

1.3 Specify the characteristics (e.g., speed, length, topology, cable type, etc.) of the following – 3%

o 802.3 (Ethernet) standards

o 10BASE-T
o 100BASE-TX
o 10BASE2
o 10BASE5
o 100BASE-FX
o Gigabit Ethernet

1.4 Recognize the following media connectors and/or describe their uses – 3%
o RJ-11
o RJ-45
o AUI
o BNC
o ST
o SC

1.5 Choose the appropriate media type and connectors to add a client to an existing network. – 3%

1.6 Identify the purpose, features, and functions of the following network components – 5%
o Hubs
o Switches
o Bridges
o Routers
o Gateways
o CSU/DSU
o Network Interface Cards/ISDN adapters/system area network cards
o Wireless access points
o Modems

Domain 2.0 – Protocols and Standards – 25%

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2.1 Given an example identify a MAC address – 1%

2.2 Identify the seven layers of the OSI model and their functions – 2%

2.3 Differentiate between the following network protocols in terms of routing, addressing schemes, interoperability,
and naming conventions – 2%
o TCP/IP
o IPX/SPX
o NetBEUI
o AppleTalk

2.4 Identify the OSI layers at which the following network components operate – 2%
o Hubs
o Switches
o Bridges
o Routers
o Network Interface Cards

2.5 Define the purpose, function and/or use of the following protocols within TCP/IP – 2%

o IP
o TCP
o UDP
o FTP
o TFTP
o SMTP
o HTTP
o HTTPS
o POP3/IMAP4
o TELNET
o ICMP
o ARP
o NTP

2.6 Define the function of TCP/UDP ports. Identify well-known ports. – 2%

2.7 Identify the purpose of the following network services (e.g. DHCP/bootp, DNS, NAT/ICS, WINS, and SNMP) –
2%

2.8 Identify IP addresses (Ipv4, Ipv6) and their default subnet masks. – 2%
2.9 Identify the purpose of subnetting and default gateways. – 2%

2.10 Identify the differences between public vs. private networks – 2%

2.11 Identify the basic charachteristics (e.g., speed, capacity, media) of the following WAN technologies – 2%
o Packet switching vs. circuit switching
o ISDN
o FDDI
o ATM
o Frame Relay
o Sonet/SDH
o T1/E1
o T3/E3
o Ocx

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2.12 Define the function of the following remote access protocols and services – 2%
o RAS
o PPP
o PPTP
o ICA
2.13 Identify the following security protocols and describe their purpose and function – 2%
o IPsec
o L2TP
o SSL
o Kerberos

Domain 3.0 Network Implementation – 23%

3.1 Identify the basic capabilities (i.e. client support, interoperability, authentication, file and print services,
application support, and security) of the following server operating systems – 3%

o UNIX/Linux
o Netware
o Windows
o Macintosh
3.2 Identify the basic capabilities, (i.e., client connectivity, local security mechanisms, and authentication) of the
following clients – 2%
3.3 Identify the main characteristics of VLANs – 2%

3.4 Identify the main characteristics of network attached storage – 2%

3.5 Identify the purpose and characteristics of fault tolerance – 2%

3.6 Identify the purpose and characteristics of disaster recovery – 2%

3.7 Given a remote connectivity scenario (e.g., IP, IPX, dial-up, PPPoE, authentication, physical connectivity etc.),
configure the connection. – 2%

3.8 Identify the purpose, benefits and characteristics of using a firewall. – 2%

3.9 Identify the purpose, benefits and characteristics of using a proxy. – 2%

3.10 Given a scenario, predict the impact of a particular security implementation on network functionality (e.g.
blocking port numbers, encryption, etc.). – 2%

3.11 Given a network configuration, select the appropriate NIC and network configuration settings (DHCP, DNS,
WINS, protocols, NETBIOS/host name, etc.). – 2%

Domain 4.0 Network Support – 32%

4.1 Given a troubleshooting scenario, select the appropriate TCP/IP utility from among the following – 3%
o Tracert
o Ping
o Arp
o Netstat
o Nbstat
o Ipconfig/Ifconfig

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o Winipcfg
o Nslookup

4.2 Given a troubleshooting scenario involving a small office/home office network failure (e.g., xDSL, cable, home
satellite, wireless, POTS), identify the cause of the failure. – 2%

4.3 Given a troubleshooting scenario involving a remote connectivity problem (e.g., authentication failure, protocol
configuration, physical connectivity) identify the cause of the problem. – 2%

4.4 Given specific parameters, configure a client to connect to the following servers – 2%

o UNIX/Linux
o Netware
o Windows
o Macintosh

4.5 Given a wiring task, select the appropriate tool (e.g., wire crimper, media tester/certifier, punch down tool, tone
generator, optical tester, etc.). – 2%

4.6 Given a network scenario interpret visual indicators (e.g., link lights, collision lights, etc.) to determine the
nature of the problem. – 2%

4.7 Given output from a diagnostic utility (e.g. tracert, ping, ipconfig, etc.), identify the utility and interpret the
output. – 2%

4.8 Given a scenario, predict the imp act of modifying, adding, or removing network services (e.g., DHCP, DNS,
WINS, etc.) on network resources and users. 2%

4.9 Given a network problem scenario, select an appropriate course of action based on a general troubleshooting
strategy. This strategy includes the following steps – 4%

1. Establish the symptoms

2. Identify the affected area
3. Establish what has changed
4. Select the most probable cause
5. Implement a solution
6. Test the result
7. Recognize the potential effects of the solution
8. Document the solution

4.10 Given a troubleshooting scenario involving a network with a particular physical topology (i.e., bus,
star/hierarchical, mesh, ring, and wireless) and including a network diagram, identify the network area effected and
the cause of the problem. – 3%
4.11 Given a network troubleshooting scenario involving a client connectivity problem (e.g., incorrect
protocol/client software/authentication configuration, or insufficient rights/permission), identify the cause of the
problem. – 5%
4.12 Given a network troubleshooting scenario involving a wiring/infrastructure problem, identify the cause of the
problem (e.g., bad media, interference, network hardware). – 3%